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Porpoising problem with 210 pulse

M

maverick2

New member
Recently bought an '03 Pulse 210BR and installed a 225 Hp Yamaha V-Max on the back with a 6" setback. We set it up for hole-shot and water-skiing rather than speed, so have propped it with a 21P High Five. Boat is a rocket out of the hole, and tops out at 5800 rpm and the mid 60's. Problem is that the boat has a tendency to porpoise as soon as we get into "inconsistent" water at the mid-range speeds (30-45 mph). Doesn't seem to do it if we're in an even chop, and won't really start of its own accord on smooth water, but once we get into water torn up with boat wakes, it'll start to porpoise. (That's with the motor trimmed all the way down, so trimming down to get rid of the porposing isn't an option.) The bow also seems to ride a little higher than I'm used to, but being relatively unfamiliar with Checkmates, I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

Am thinking about adding a hydrofoil to the stabilizer plate -- before I did that, thought I'd pick your collective brains to see if anyone else has run into this, recommendations on hydrofoils, etc... (Note that I haven't played around with my jack-plate much, but I'm not blowing out in hard corners and my impression is that prop height isn't much of a factor with porpoising, so was going to start elsewhere...) Suggestions???
 
I had some issues with porpoising on an 06 2000BR with 10" of set back. If I trimmed down that usually handled it with no problem. If trimming down didn't eliminate the porpoising, it was because the jack plate was too high. So...I suggest lowering the jack plate or driving faster (just kidding...I know that doesn't fix your problem). Sounds like you've eliminated just about everything else, although I will say, you should be able to turn a 23P and not notice much decrease in hole shot and pick up some top end. I'm sure there are some Pulse experts out there will chime in.

Good luck.
 
try a different prop. I am not sure if the high 5 is a bow or stern lift. the Bravo line of props may be a good option for you. How high is your motor?
 
ianz said:
try a different prop. I am not sure if the high 5 is a bow or stern lift. the Bravo line of props may be a good option for you. How high is your motor?
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I've never had any problem with Hi-fives porpoising. If the motor is tucked in all the way and the bow doesn't go into the water the motor must be to high on the plate.
 
My Starliner has always porpoised at lower speeds. At a certain speed they flatten right out and then you have to trim to get the nose up. I think most of these Mates do but many of the guys never drive slow enough to notice.
The hydrofoil will not work because we run the props too high... don't waste your money. Trim tabs are the ticket especially if you are using it for skiing. One inexpensive option is Smart Tabs. I put these on http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabs.htm and now I cannot make the boat porpoise at any speed or trim. The holeshot improved and there is almost no bow rise. I put on the ST1290-60 which has a 60# actuator. You do not need more than that. I have them adjusted to the minimum pressure as well. These boats need very little help to stop porpoising. If you get too much pressure you will lose bow lift and speed. I might have lost 1 MPH on top. I spend 99% of my time cruising so for me they were perfect. The hardest part is drilling those holes in the transom... a little nerve racking.
 
I've got bennett trim tabs on my Enforcer to stop the porpoising as well. My motor hangs off of a 24" gil bracket which I think is part of my porpoising problem.
 
Mark is correct, the smart tabs are a good deal. I had a set on my Enforcer at one time and they really tamed the bow rise(which scares the hell out of my wife). The boat was a flat running rocket out of the hole and much easier to control the porpoise. Only problem, I bought the all plastic one and they don't like hard turns in rough water at 60mph!
 
Thanks for the feedback. Will play around with height adjustment first using my jackplate, and then progress with tabs, etc if needed. Will let you know how it turns out.
 
Try adding some wieght up in the bow. My friends 18 Pulse did the same thing and he added 60# of sand to the bow and problem solved. I know most people here don't like to here about adding wieght but it sounds like you are not setting it up for speed but for sking so just thought iI would throw out another option.
 
i will watch this thread, i have the same boat and have been wanting to try the high five prop for pulling.....let me know how things go.
BTW, i thought i had the only 2003 pulse, i heard they wuit making them in 02...lol.
 
maverick2 said:
Recently bought an '03 Pulse 210BR and installed a 225 Hp Yamaha V-Max on the back with a 6" setback. We set it up for hole-shot and water-skiing rather than speed, so have propped it with a 21P High Five. Boat is a rocket out of the hole, and tops out at 5800 rpm and the mid 60's. Problem is that the boat has a tendency to porpoise as soon as we get into "inconsistent" water at the mid-range speeds (30-45 mph). Doesn't seem to do it if we're in an even chop, and won't really start of its own accord on smooth water, but once we get into water torn up with boat wakes, it'll start to porpoise. (That's with the motor trimmed all the way down, so trimming down to get rid of the porposing isn't an option.) The bow also seems to ride a little higher than I'm used to, but being relatively unfamiliar with Checkmates, I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

Am thinking about adding a hydrofoil to the stabilizer plate -- before I did that, thought I'd pick your collective brains to see if anyone else has run into this, recommendations on hydrofoils, etc... (Note that I haven't played around with my jack-plate much, but I'm not blowing out in hard corners and my impression is that prop height isn't much of a factor with porpoising, so was going to start elsewhere...) Suggestions???
Click to expand...

Generally the High 5 will produce alot of stern lift. So try lowering your motor. I had a fish & ski bass boat and ran a high 5 the motor needed to be nearly flush on the transom. Or try running a 4 blade.
 
Bennett trim tabs on my 21BR. Would porpoise bad with 4 people in it at slow speeds. Tabs stopped all of it. Best thing that I have done to my boat.
 
I had the same problem with my 23 enforcer.I lowered the motor where the prop shaft was 2 inches below the bottom of the boat and left the tabs parallel with the boat bottom.That took most of the porpoise out;the remainder was remedied by the throttle.High 5s are great props for skiing and cruising.I've had good luck with the hydro foils.They paid for themselves in one season just in fuel savings.I hope this helps.---JB
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Dropped the motor 1.5" with the jackplate (cavitation plate is now 5" above the pad) and the porpoising has stopped. As it sits right now, (2500' elevation, 225 Hp Yamaha V-max, 6" setback, and High 5 prop) we're hitting 5600 rpm and low 60's at WOT with a full tank of gas, 3 adults, and ski gear in the boat. Rated WOT is 5800 rpm, so I feel we've got the right pitched prop. As far as skiing and watersports, holeshot and handling while pulling is incredible. (To give an example, I weigh 250#, do deep-water starts on a small slalom ski with both feet in full boots, and I've NEVER come out of the water so quick and easy.) Only concern at this point is the wake. Skiing wake at 35 mph and less is pretty big/tall, but it flattens right out above 40 mph. A bit fast for slalom skiing, and wake will be intimidating for beginning skiers at slow speeds. Will rectify with a hydrofoil first, and if that doesn't do what I want it to, will move on to the trim tabs. I suspect the hyrdrofoil will do everything we need -- it's effect should be most pronounced at the lower speeds (where we need it) while the back of the boat is still fairly deep in the water, but pretty much high and dry at the upper speeds while running on the pad. Will see. Thanks again for the help.
 
maverick2 said:
Thanks for all the feedback. Dropped the motor 1.5" with the jackplate (cavitation plate is now 5" above the pad) and the porpoising has stopped. As it sits right now, (2500' elevation, 225 Hp Yamaha V-max, 6" setback, and High 5 prop) we're hitting 5600 rpm and low 60's at WOT with a full tank of gas, 3 adults, and ski gear in the boat. Rated WOT is 5800 rpm, so I feel we've got the right pitched prop. As far as skiing and watersports, holeshot and handling while pulling is incredible. (To give an example, I weigh 250#, do deep-water starts on a small slalom ski with both feet in full boots, and I've NEVER come out of the water so quick and easy.) Only concern at this point is the wake. Skiing wake at 35 mph and less is pretty big/tall, but it flattens right out above 40 mph. A bit fast for slalom skiing, and wake will be intimidating for beginning skiers at slow speeds. Will rectify with a hydrofoil first, and if that doesn't do what I want it to, will move on to the trim tabs. I suspect the hyrdrofoil will do everything we need -- it's effect should be most pronounced at the lower speeds (where we need it) while the back of the boat is still fairly deep in the water, but pretty much high and dry at the upper speeds while running on the pad. Will see. Thanks again for the help.
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I'd REALLY reccomend the smart tabs over the hydrofoil. Put's a lot of undo stress on the cavitation plate on larger HP motors.
The smart tabs are easily a better solution to more of your issues.
 
Its a speed boat, not a ski boat
Click to expand...
... says the guy with a slalom skiing pic as his avatar...

But yeah, point taken. From a practical standpoint however, I've found it's a helluva lot easier to tweak a "rough water capable speed boat" to make it ski moderately well, than it is to make a ski boat handle ANY rough water at all. "Ski" boats spend way too much time tied to the docks at our lake because of water conditions -- I'm willing to give up a little wake quality for a boat we can take out any time of the day.
 
Installed the SE 300 hydrofoil last Friday and ran with it all weekend. Turned out to be a great addition for how we use the boat. Dramatically improved the low speed (35 mph and less) handling, decreased the amount of bow rise during hole shots, and greatly flattened the wake for skiing. So far, I can't find any downsides to the thing, as I don't think I lost any top end (if I did, it's less than 1 mph...) No need for me to do any more tweaking on things, as current setup seems perfect for how we use this boat.
 
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